2016 NHL Draft Radar: Lucas Carlsson

When people talk about “enigmas” in sports, it often times can be code for something xenophobic. Rarely if ever, does it apply to the players that are deemed to be puzzling. So what happens when a player shoots up draft lists, yet hasn’t been seen like his draft counterparts. Being passed over last year in the draft, he has re-entered That player has to be an enigma, right?

Carlsson is the 15th ranked European skater in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by NHL Central Scouting.

The Stats

While being older then almost everyone in the draft (a re-entry player), Carlsson still played quite well for his age in the SHL. Eight points may not seem like much but given the amount of games he played in and the protected nature of young players in the SHL, this is a very good clip. He also played well in the limited time he saw in the playoffs. In the international U19 tournament, he scored above a point per game, he is ahead of his peers but for how long will that be the case?

The Eye Test

“Despite being unranked and unscouted by almost every scouting service, Lucas Carlsson has a number of statistical positives that suggest that he has a high chance of success. He was very young this season, he played a large number of games at the senior professional level in the SHL and he even scored a point, a hard feat for such a young defencemen playing third pairing minutes, at 10:38 a game, with little to no special teams. With a PCS% of 23.08% – a number suggesting almost 1 in 4 of his comparables became NHL regulars, Carlsson has a high chance of success and as of right now he has been invited to Washington’s development camp.”

“Strong 200 foot defender good speed, passing ability and plasy in all situations. Not overly large, and loses many one on one’s because of it. Very calm and composed with a good head to make the right defensive plays. Has a ways to develop and has a frame that will oblige. Not a true mailman with the puck, but has some upside.”

Does he fit in with the Red Wings?

Although he was passed over by every team this past year, I could see Carlsson making an impact in the near future. Seeing sometime in the SHL this year and doing well for himself only bodes well for any team that drafts him. He doesn’t have much size but that doesn’t scare away GM’s like it once did. He won’t be a first round selection by the Red Wings, yet could be an interesting selection in the second round. If they decide to go defender, defender in the first two rounds, they could do much worse than Carlsson.